opulentus
[ɔ.pʊˈɫɛn.tʊs]
The English word 'affluent' is translated into Latin as opulentus.
The term is used to describe someone or something that is abounding in goods or riches, or is materially wealthy.
Meaning: abounding in goods or riches, materially wealthy (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
Etymologically, opulentus relates to the idea of being abounding, flowing or full, particularly with resources.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, opulentus must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. For example, use opulenta for feminine nouns. The form also changes to show possession or relationship, such as the genitive plural form opulentorum, which means 'of the affluent'.
Did you know?
- While opulentus describes wealth, the Roman goddess Ops was the personification of abundance and the wife of Saturn, making the word for 'affluent' a divine name.
- The root word ops does not just mean 'wealth' but also 'power' and 'help'. In Roman thought, material riches and the ability to exert influence were seen as the same thing.
- While English speakers use 'affluent' to describe a flow of money, the Latin opulentus describes a heavy state of being loaded. It suggests being filled to capacity rather than simply having a stream of resources moving toward you.
Examples in context
- Marcus est divesMarcus is affluent.
- Mulier fortunata estThe woman is affluent.
- Rex est opulentusThe king is affluent.
- Familia florens estThe family is affluent.
- Vir opes habens estThe man is affluent.
- Nobilis et dives homo estHe is a noble and affluent man.
- Familia florens multas possessiones habetThe affluent family has many possessions.
- Hic vir est valde opulentus.This man is very wealthy.
Example conversation
Lucius and Aurelia are discussing a wealthy neighbor.
- LuciusNum scis tantum de eo homine?Do you know much about that man?
- AureliaIta, ille est valde opulentus.Yes, he is very affluent.
- LuciusVero? Multas res habetne?Really? Does he have many things?
- AureliaIta, aurum et argentum multum habet.Yes, he has much gold and silver.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry opulentus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
